Brewers promote forgotten Yankees first-round draft pick, top prospect for MLB debut

In Book 17, Chapter 11 of fans and media questioning the New York Yankees' player development system, we have a new topic on the matter Monday morning. Another former Yankees top prospect has surfaced elsewhere and appears to have improved drastically.

Former 2018 first-round draft pick (23rd overall) and Yankees top prospect Anthony Seigler has been promoted to MLB by the Milwaukee Brewers after just 63 games at Triple-A. He never reached that level across his seven years with the Bombers.

The Brewers called up Seigler on Sunday night after he hit .277 with an .881 OPS at Triple-A Nashville. Milwaukee picked him up after the Yankees cut him loose this past offseason. Across 120 games at Double-A Somerset in 2024, Seigler hit .234 with a .748 OPS, but logged a career-high 24 doubles and 29 stolen bases.

But Seigler never displayed a singular proficiency during his time in the Yankees' organization. Not only that, but he dealt with countless injuries and a fully canceled 2020 season. Nonetheless, it appeared as if he was topping out at Double-A after he logged a .209/.343/.350 line in his 187 games at the level.

Turns out ... we have yet another "change of scenery" candidate to add to the list as Seigler has reached heights with the Brewers in just seven months after signing with them in November.

Former Yankees draft pick and top prospect Anthony Seigler to make MLB debut with Brewers

Seigler, drafted as a catcher, began to move around defensively beginning in 2023. The Yankees started using him at second base, where he then played full-time in 2024.

With Milwaukee, Seigler has been developing as a utility player of sorts, logging reps at second, third and catcher. That type of versatility would be incredibly valuable to any big league roster, but it's especially characteristic of the Brewers, who typically utilize their players in a flexible manner.

Many Yankees fans questioned the selection of Seigler at the time of the 2018 MLB Draft since Gary Sánchez was absolutely raking in the Bronx and there was a much greater need for top-level pitching. Turns out, the fans were right yet again, as Seigler never came close to panning out with the Yankees and, in typical fashion, another organization figured out a way to maximize his capabilities.

Not to mention, straight up far better players were selected after Seigler in that draft: Matt McLain, Nico Hoerner, Triston Casas, Bo Naylor and Shane McClanahan were the selections directly after.